The Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe is your answer to a delicious, satisfying, and incredibly easy meal for any night of the week. This one-pan wonder delivers tender chicken and a rich, garlicky sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s the perfect solution for busy schedules without sacrificing flavor.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (or more, to your taste!)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a touch of heat
How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe
Get ready for a culinary triumph that’s as simple as it is sensational! This Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. In under 30 minutes of active cooking, you’ll create a restaurant-quality meal right on your stovetop. The magic lies in the perfectly seared chicken, a velvety, aromatic garlic cream sauce, and the convenience of a single skillet. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this incredibly delicious and satisfying dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown beautifully. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until softened and translucent.
- Infuse Garlic and Seasoning: Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze and Build Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits (this adds immense flavor!). Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Creamy Indulgence: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. If you like a bit of heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes at this point.
- Return Chicken to Pan: Add the seared chicken back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.
- Simmer and Finish: Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The sauce should have thickened nicely.
- Serve: Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve the creamy garlic chicken immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe is an absolute dream for busy weeknights, offering a luxurious, restaurant-quality meal with astonishing ease. The star of the show is undeniably the incredibly rich and velvety garlic cream sauce that envelops perfectly tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you utterly satisfied. Making this at home is not only incredibly satisfying but also remarkably budget-friendly compared to dining out, proving that delicious doesn’t have to mean expensive.
What truly elevates this dish are the simple yet impactful flavor boosters like fresh garlic, savory Parmesan, and fragrant Italian herbs, all coming together in a harmonious blend that rivals any high-end pasta dish. If you’ve ever enjoyed creamy chicken alfredo but crave a simpler, more savory profile, this skillet chicken is your perfect next adventure. Stop dreaming of takeout and start creating culinary magic – this Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe is waiting for you to try!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store this delicious Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2-3 months.
When it comes to reheating, you have a few excellent options. On the stovetop, gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much upon cooling. Alternatively, you can reheat covered in the microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through. If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator first for the most even heating and best texture.
Final Thoughts
The Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe is your ultimate weeknight champion, offering incredible flavor and ease. Give this delightful dish a try; you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create something so satisfying and delicious. Happy cooking!
Creamy Garlic Chicken Dinner Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown beautifully. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until softened and translucent.1 tablespoon butter, 1 large yellow onion
- Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.4-5 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits (this adds immense flavor!). Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.1 cup chicken broth
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. If you like a bit of heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes at this point.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, Red pepper flakes
- Add the seared chicken back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Stir to coat the chicken evenly.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Lower the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The sauce should have thickened nicely.
- Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve the creamy garlic chicken immediately.2 tablespoons fresh parsley